Henry Hugh Shelton, known as a "soldier's soldier" and as both warrior and peacemaker, served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001. Born in Tarboro in 1942 and raised in the Speed Community of Edgecombe County, he graduated from North Carolina State University in 1963. He then served two tours of duty with the United States Army in Vietnam, first as a Green Beret with the 5th Special Forces and later with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Shelton advanced through the ranks, becoming a Brigadier General in 1988 and a General in 1996. During the Gulf War in 1991, he was Assistant Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division, then commanded the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg from 1991 to 1993 and United States Special Operations Command from 1996 to 1997. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he became the principal military adviser to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. His honors included the Congressional Gold Medal in 2001 and a knighthood bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II that same year.